Annuity Company Ratings

There are over 2000 insurance providers in the United States. Of these, a couple hundred offer annuities and life insurance. The following is a list of the top 35 annuity companies and their security ratings. AM Best, Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch are the world’s leading financial rating institutions.

Company:A.M. Best:Moody’s:S&P:Fitch:
AIGAA1A+AA-
AllianzAAA
American GeneralAA1A+A-
American NationalAAA-AA-
AvivaAAA-
Axa EquitableA+Aa3AAAA-
EquiTrustB+
Fidelity InvestmentsA-A+
Genworth FinancialABaa3BBBA-
HartfordAA3AA-
INGAA2A+A
Integrity LifeA+Aa3AA+AA
Kansas CityA
Jackson NationalA+AAAA
Jefferson NationalB-
John HancockA+Aa3AA+AA
Lincoln NationalA+A2AA-A+
Mass MutualA++Aa2AAAAA
MetLifeA+Aa3AA-AA
Midland NationalA+A+A
Monumental LifeAA1AA-AA
Mutual of OmahaA+Aa3AA-
Nationwide LifeA+A1A+A
New York LifeA++AAAAAA
North AmericanA+A+A
Ohio NationalA+AA
Old MutualA-Baa1BBB-
Pacific LifeA+A1AA-AA-
PresidentialB+
ProtectiveA+A2AA-A
PrudentialA+A2AA-A+
RiversourceA+Aa3AA-AA-
SunAmericaAA1A+A-
The StandardAA1AA-
TransamericaAA1AA-AA

*Company ratings as of 01/11/2010. Subject to change without notice.
**Dash (-) indicates company isn’t rated or ratings out-of-date.

A.M. Best Rating Definitions

Rating:Descriptor:Definition:
A++, A+SuperiorAble to meet insurance obligations.
A, A-ExcellentAble to meet insurance obligations.
B++, B+GoodAble to meet insurance obligations.
B, B-FairVulnerable to unfavourable economic conditions.
C++, C+MarginalVulnerable to unfavourable economic conditions.
C, C-WeakVery vulnerable to unfavourable economic conditions.
DPoorExtremely vulnerable to unfavourable economic conditions.
EUnder SupervisionCompany is under regulation, preventing normal business operations.
FIn LiquidationCompany is ongoing voluntary liquidation.
SSuspendedUnevaluated due to inadequate information or lack of cooperation.

Moody’s Rating Definitions

Rating:Descriptor:Definition:
AAAExtremely StrongMarket conditions are unlikely to affect a fundamentally strong position.
AAVery StrongHigh-grade company with marginally larger long-term risks.
AStrongFinancially secure, but signs of possible long-term susceptibility.
BaaAdequateLacking in certain protective elements over the long term.
BaQuestionableAbility to meet obligations is questionable.
BPoorLong-term ability to meet obligations on time is small.
CaaVery PoorMay be in default of financial obligations already.
CaExtremely PoorIn default of financial obligations.
CExtremely PoorVery poorly positioned to offer financial security.

S&P Rating Definitions

Rating:Descriptor:Definition:
AAAExtremely StrongVery unlikely to be affected by adverse economic conditions.
AAVery StrongUnlikely to be affected by adverse economic conditions.
AStrongMarginally more likely to be affected by adverse economic conditions.
BBBGoodMay be affected by adverse business conditions.
BBMarginalAdverse business conditions may lead to inability to meet obligations.
BWeakAdverse business conditions are likely to affect ability to meet obligations.
CCCVery WeakDepends on favourable business conditions to meet obligations.
CCExtremelyLikely to not meet all financial obligations.
RRegulatory ActionSubject to regulation due to insolvency.
NRNot RatedNo opinion.

Fitch Rating Definitions

Rating:Descriptor:Definition:
AAAExceptionally StrongVery unlikely to be affected by adverse economic conditions.
AAVery StrongNot significantly vulnerable to adverse economic conditions.
AStrongLow expectation for interruption of payments.
BBBGoodMay be affected by adverse economic conditions.
BBModerately WeakContractual obligations are now vulnerable.
BWeakSignificant risk for interruption of payments.
CCCVery WeakStrong likelihood for interruption of payments.
CCExtremely WeakInterruption of payments is probable.
CDistressedInterruption of payments is imminent.